Become a Freight Broker Online
Gain the comprehensive skills needed to build a successful freight brokerage or freight brokerage agency—100% online. Learn key freight fundamentals for future success, such as applicable laws and terminology, setting up your business, valuable tools and software, contracts and forms, how to find shippers and do ratings and much more.
In this freight broker training you will learn the differences between a freight broker and a freight agent, their various duties and responsibilities, and the laws and legal requirements for both. You will also learn the steps of setting up carrier and shipper packets and contracts, marketing and advertising avenues, rate quotes, how to interact with shippers and carriers to keep lines of communication open and valuable negotiation skills.
You also have access to Brooke Transportation Training Solutions, which hosts a Broker/Agent Resources Day event. This event includes a virtual option held one Friday a month exclusively for course graduates.
In partnership with ed2go, Ashland is proud to offer this Freight Broker course to those interested in preparing for or advancing their careers.
Course Objectives
- Freight Broker/Agent
- The basics of freight brokering, and qualifications needed for freight brokers and freight broker agents
- How to set up an office, goals and a corporate identity for a freight brokering business
- How to set up a shipper and carrier packet for a freight brokering business
- Software used for accounting and operations and how the transportation law affects a freight brokering business
- The terms, insurance requirements, liabilities, policies and recordkeeping best practices involved in contracts between the broker, carrier and shipper
- Ways to determine rate quotes between your freight brokerage, the shipper and the carrier using negotiation and sales techniques
Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no prerequisites to take this freight broker course. However, this course focuses solely on U.S. domestic freight brokering, so it’s only recommended if you plan to do business in the United States.
FAQs about Freight Brokers
Freight brokers find carriers for shippers to haul their freight. They also assume financial responsibility in the shipping process by invoicing shippers, paying carriers and agents, extending credit and more.
A freight agent acts as an independent salesperson for a freight brokerage or independent broker. Freight agents may work on commission, bringing in new customers.
Freight brokers can set their own hours — deciding when and how much they work. Many work from home, so they create their own work/life balance around shipping and carrier schedules.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and provides safety oversight for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
Job Outlook for Freight Brokers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for logisticians, which includes freight brokers, are likely to increase 19% through 2033. On average, around 45,800 jobs for freight brokers are expected annually over the decade. As of May 2023, the median yearly salary for freight brokers was $79,400, with the top 10% earning over $128,550.
Over 11 billion tons of freight move by truck each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). This number will grow, so skilled freight brokers are needed to keep the industry moving.